Course Syllabus for Math 121
 

                                                        VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
                            SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
                                                   DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
                              MATH 121 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND TRIGONOMETRY
                                                                  (3 Sem. Hrs)

                                       COURSE SYLLABUS: FALL 2002
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a second semester of a two-semester sequence designed for students who plan to pursue college majors in the field os Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies, or Business. The course content has been carefully selected to include the basic mathematical concepts and ides which are essential for a precalculus mathematics course.

Prerequisite: MATH 120

COURSE TEXT:

Conemporary College Algebra & Trigonometry, a graphic approach by Thomas W. Hungerford; Harcourt, Inc, 2001
Student Solutions Manual

Required Equipment: TI-82 or TI-83 (Graphing calculator)
 

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

1. Chapter 5
• Exponential Functions
• Applications of Exponenetial Functions
• Common and Natural Logarithmic Functions
• Properties of Logarithms and Logarithms to Other Bases
• Solutions of Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
• Inverse Functions
2. Chapter 9
• Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angles
• Applications of Right Trianle Trigonometry
• The Law of Cosines
• The Law of Sines
• The Area of a Triangle
3. Chapter 10
• Angles and Their Measurement
• Arc Length and Angular Speed
• Algebra and Identities
• Basic Graphs
• Periodic Graphs
• Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant Functions
4. Chapter 11
• Basic Identities and Proofs
• Addition and Subtraction Identities
• Other Identities
• Trigonometric Equations
• A Solution of Trigonometric Equations using Substitution, Factoring, and the Quadratic Formula
• Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Each student’s grade will be determined by the following criteria:

Midterm Average =  2/3 (Average of all work prior to the Midterm Exam) + 1/3 (Midterm Exam Score)

Final Grade = 1/3 (Midterm Average) + 1/3 (Average of all work assigned after the Midterm Exam and prior to the Final Exam) + 1/3 (Final Exam Score)

The following scale will be used:

            A: 90 - 100 

            B: 80 -  89 

            C: 70 -  79 

            D: 60 -  69 

            F: Below 60

Instructor’s Office 306Sa
Mathematics Laboratory - 210 HM
Computer Science/Mathematics Laboratory - 214 HM
Lab hours are posted on each lab office door and will be passed out in class no later than the 3rd week of class.